Name: 8-Day Far East Discovery
Brand: Holland America Line
Rating: 4.4 (5 reviews)

Overview

Discover the beauty of Far East and Japan on this 14-night voyage with Holland America Line, setting sail from Yokohama aboard the Noordam. The route winds through 3 ports including Shimizu, Maizuru, and Hitachinaka, interspersed with 2 sea days for unwinding on board. Days at sea aboard the Noordam offer the chance to recharge before your next exciting port of call in Far East and Japan. Prices for this cruise start from £2,674 per person.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line, which has been sailing for 150 years, visits 400 ports in 114 countries every year. Dutch heritage shines through in some of the $4million-worth of artwork to be seen onboard, complimenting the luxurious cruise experience.

Live music remains HAL's forte, with venues including the Rolling Stone Rock room and BB King's Blues Club. For foodies, a wide range of restaurants serve the finest of fayre.

Cruise Itinerary

Day 1

Tokyo

Tokyo, a city that masterfully blends the ultramodern with the traditional, offers a vibrant urban tapestry that is a treasure trove for explorers and cultural enthusiasts alike. Known for its dynamic climate with distinct seasonal changes, Tokyo provides a unique backdrop for the cherry blossoms of spring and the fiery leaves of autumn. This city goes beyond the neon lights and skyscrapers; its a place where ancient temples stand in the shadows of towering buildings, offering a true slice of Japanese life. Fun fact: Tokyo's Sumida River hosts one of the oldest and most spectacular fireworks festivals in Japan.

Day 2

Shimizu

Day 3

Osaka

Osaka, the kitchen of Japan, beckons food lovers and history buffs alike with its down-to-earth charm and bustling street life. Known historically as a merchant city, Osaka offers a temperate climate that nurtures both its colorful festivals and vibrant nightlife. This city stands apart from its polished counterpart Tokyo by offering a genuine glimpse into the daily lives of ordinary Japanese people, through its thriving local eateries and lively markets. Unique to Osaka is its obsession with comedy, home to the nation's soul of humor, making it a place where laughter and warmth permeate the street corners.

Day 4

At sea

Day 5

Hiroshima

Day 6

Day 7

Busan

Day 8

Sakaiminato

Day 9

Maizuru

Day 9

Day 10

Kanazawa

Travelers who cherish art and elegance will find a haven in Kanazawa, a city spared from wartime destruction, preserving centuries-old craftsmanship including the art of gold leaf decoration. Its humid subtropical climate enriches its celebrated Kenrokuen Garden, one of the most beautiful feudal gardens in Japan, making it a picturesque destination across seasons. Kanazawa offers a quieter, more refined glimpse into the samurai era, far from the well-trodden tourist paths. Unique to this locale is its mastery in Kaga yuzen silk painting, ensuring every visitor leaves with a sense of having touched authentic Japanese heritage.

Day 11

At sea

Day 12

Hakodate

Perched on the shores of Hokkaido, Hakodate beckons with a captivating blend of history and charm. As the site of Japan's first international trade port, this city exudes a welcoming aura, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its storied past. With a temperate coastal climate, Hakodate offers a refreshing escape from tourist crowds, unveiling authentic experiences beyond the beaten path. Cruise lines embrace its allure, ferrying passengers to explore its historic sites and culinary delights. From panoramic views atop Mount Hakodate to serene strolls through Motomachi District, Hakodate serves as a gateway to Japan's soul.

Day 13

Miyako, Iwate

Day 14

Hitachinaka

Day 15

Tokyo

Day 1

Tokyo

Day 2

Shimizu

Day 3

Osaka

Day 4

At sea

Day 5

Hiroshima

Day 6

Hiroshima

Day 7

Busan

Day 8

Sakaiminato

Day 9

Maizuru

Day 9

Maizuru

Day 10

Kanazawa

Day 11

At sea

Day 12

Hakodate

Day 13

Miyako, Iwate

Day 14

Hitachinaka

Day 15

Tokyo

1927

Passengers

820

Crew

2006

Launched

2019

Last refit

82897t

Tonnage

285m

Length

32m

Width

24kts

Speed

Decks

USD

Currency

Noordam

Named for the Northern compass point, Noordam dazzles with museum-quality art and lavish staterooms. Guests of this Vista Class cruise ship will have their pick of onboard activities.

All Prices

Customer reviews

Reviews

A fabulous cruise

We went on the Koningsdam after our tour of Canada. The ship was beautiful and we saw so much wildlife life. It was absolutely fantastic

Holland America Line Koningsdam

Reviews

False advertisement and no customer service

Booked a cruise with HA, thinking they offer nice excusions. At the time of the booking they all seemed available. Day after booking I have discovered there is literally none left, besides basic walking city tours for over 100 USD! In short, I cannot even spend my onshore excusions credit with them. I have written so many emails and called so many times trying to find a solution, but they dont return any answer.. My phone bill is probably over 500 USD after one month of this now. I simply hate HA at this point of time. On top of it, they website is super buggy - hundreds of error messages, you cannot check out, you see things as available which are not, and and and... And they also advertise wrong prices - e.g. Have it all package for 55 USD a day, and when you try to check out it magically becomes 65 USD a day.

Holland America Line Nieuw Statendam

Reviews

2024-01-14 12:05:45

A wonderful way to see Indonesia and Malaysia from Singapore. This was a special time, especially the tours on the many ports of call. Quite naturally one compares it with the best of my many previous cruises, and that`s when improvements spring to mind. What was missing was the daytime activities and evening entertainments to stimulate the senses. Regular Holland America cruisers, of which there are many, insist that classical music and educational speakers were the norm before covid. If the latter had been in evidence, then a great cruise could have been an amazing one. Our tours were expensive, and although some tour guides were exceptional, sadly some were very poor. Holland America does not ask for feedback, so presumably no opportunity to reward the best whilst eliminating the seriously bad. Thank you Holland America, and in particular the majority of the service staff, who went out of their way to ensure our well being.

Holland America Line Westerdam

Reviews

2023-09-07 05:43:53

We are regular cruisers and this was the worst experience ever. Waste of time and money. Total cheats. We took the cruise from Sydney to New Zealand and back for 15 days. The arrival back to Sydney was delayed and as a result, we missed our flight. We were told to submit all papers to Holland America who would reimburse our change of travel, hotel stay, and food it is going to be 1 year and we have had no response from the cruise line despite several reminders. We received a notification saying it is covid and we will get the response in 4-6 weeks' time. When the whole world is back to normal Holland America is still hiding behind covid. What a shame. Worse cruise line ever and cheats on top of that. No decency to send a reply either agreeing to pay or not. It is because of them that we unnecessarily spent USD 700/-. Please do not use this cruise liner. There are other professional cruise liners who treat their customers well and reply to their queries. There is nothing nice about this cruise line.

Holland America Line Rotterdam

Reviews

2023-06-18 07:11:20

Unfortunately, although the quality of food was good, it always arrived cold. The fitness facilities were woefully inadequate whereas the gambling facilities were the opposite. The entertainment facilities were also inadequate and very loud. The quality of the entertainment was variable. Most of the staff were very courteous yet we found the lady on the restaurant booking desk rude and condescending. There were queues lasting hours to embark but disembarkation was very smooth. There were also large queues for reception and some reception staff were not particularly helpful. The shops were mainly jewellery based so not much in the way of souvenirs aboard. The destinations were very good especially Glacier bay.

Holland America Line Koningsdam

Reviews

2023-06-02 19:14:08

Wonderful crew! Nice ship, great itternary

Holland America Line Oosterdam

Reviews

2023-03-29 11:16:57

Some clear evidence of cost cutting. Standard cabins need bathroom refurbishment. Food was good, but trying to get it hot was a challenge. Staff always great but clearly overstretched in the main dining room, which was also poorly organised when we joined the ship which meant queuing for up to 20 minutes to get into dinner even though we had a reservation. Not acceptable that we couldn’t book excursions as they were all fully booked although we had excursion credit which we couldn’t use. They were charging silly money for short shuttle rides into town - sometimes $50 for two for a 10 minute ride (a taxi would be cheaper!). Main complaint was dining room which they just need to get sorted - poor management. Deterioration sine we were on this ship in 2019.

Holland America Line Westerdam

Reviews

2023-03-29 07:56:57

Fantastic cruise to Alaska with fabulous memories. Visiting glacier bay was amazing and all the trips were brilliant. On board facilities were good, great food great staff, lovely cabin. Cannot fault anything.

Holland America Line Koningsdam